On Saturday, January 7th, the first major snow storm of the season began covering the roadways of the Eastern End of Long Island.

With the snow accumulations expected to drop 8-12 inches across the area, snow began to fall shortly after 10:00 a.m. At approximately 10:15 am the Cutchogue Fire Department was dispatched for an EMS alarm in Cutchogue Village to treat a person who had fallen in a parking lot.

After transporting the patient to Eastern Long Island Hospital in Greenport for treatment, Ambulance 8-5-17 was traveling westbound on County Route 48 in Greenport, when an oncoming vehicle traveling eastbound lost control on the snow covered roadway and began to spin out of control.

The SUV spun helplessly into the path of the oncoming ambulance and was struck on the passenger side causing significant damage to both vehicles.

Because the ambulance was traveling at a slow speed, the driver was able to take some evasive actions to help minimize the impact.

The two EMT's aboard the ambulance were wearing their seat belts and were not injured.

They immediately radioed in the crash and began to treat the 3 passengers in the other vehicle until the Greenport and Southold Fire Departments were able to arrive on scene.

The three passengers were transported to Eastern Long Island Hospital in Greenport with minor injuries.

The two members of the Cutchogue Fire Department were evaluated by medical personnel at the Scene and released.

Ambulances from East Marion Fire Department and Stony Brook University Hospital also assisted at the scene.

The roadway was closed for almost 2 hours until the vehicles could be towed from the scene.

The cause of the crash was investigated by the Southold Town Police Department and there was no patient in the ambulance at the time of the crash.

The Officers and Members of the Cutchogue Fire Department would like to thank the all of the Departments involved and all others who have expressed their concern for our members following the accident.